Wofford QB Weimer gaining confidence on surgically repaired knee

Tuesday

Sep 17, 2013 at 11:30 PM

The third-year sophomore has been the most dynamic of the Terriers' quarterbacks in the first three games of the season.

By TODD SHANESYtodd.shanesy@shj.com

Wofford quarterback Michael Weimer, running up the sideline last week against Georgia Southern, faked out a couple of defenders and left them grasping at air.It was a small play in the 30-20 victory, largely unnoticed in the scheme of things, but it was huge for Weimer and his surgically repaired knee. No disrespect, but he was smiling — at least on the inside — as Wofford head coach Mike Ayers fussed a little bit during the next timeout.“Coach Ayers wasn't too happy because I went out of bounds,” Weimer said. “But I made people miss. And that felt really good to know I can do that again.”It was reminiscent of his breakout performance in the third game of last season, a 49-20 win at home against Western Carolina. Weimer had six carries for 141 yards and was named Southern Conference freshman of the week.Weimer hurt his knee midway through the season, missed three games, came back against South Carolina only to last one play before being helped off the field. He needed surgery to repair ligament damage, but recovered in time for spring practice. When this season kicked off against Baylor, he was admittedly tentative.“Baylor was a tough test,” said Weimer, a third-year sophomore from Chapin High School. “You could probably tell by watching that game that I wasn't running as hard. I was just really hesitant with my knee. I'm not going to lie. It's definitely a mental thing. The knee is completely fine. I'd just never had any major injuries like that. Each game, I'm getting more and more comfortable. In the last game, I wasn't even thinking about it at all. I know I'm going to be fine.”For the second straight week, Weimer came off the bench and led Wofford to victory. He is second in line behind James Lawson and ahead of Evan Jacks, but Weimer has been able to take control. Lawson never re-entered, except for a kneel-down at The Citadel, and Jacks hasn't played since Baylor.In the win against Georgia Southern, Weimer completed 4 of 6 passes for 111 yards. “He can hurt you running or passing,” Ayers said. “When it comes to throwing the football, I think he's probably as comfortable as he's ever been.”With 37 seconds left before the half and 60 yards to go against Georgia Southern, he connected twice with Jeff Ashley, the latter being a 40-yard touchdown for a 17-14 lead. And there were still 22 seconds on the clock.“I knew we were going to try to score,” Weimer said. “If we score there, we take great momentum into the half. I was pretty confident that we could get something on the board. I didn't think it would take only two plays.”It hasn't been perfect, however. Weimer has thrown three interceptions on his eight attempts, one returned for a touchdown and another picked off in the end zone. He's also put the ball on the ground a couple of times with fumbled pitches. But he's always bounced right back. “I have short-term memory,” he said. “If I have a bad play or a bad practice, I just forget about it and move forward. I learn from it. I move on and I try to become a better player.”